PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios had offered to step down from office in the wake of sharp criticisms he got on the “James Yap controversy” but was prevailed upon to stay on, assured he still has the trust and confidence of the league board.
Board chairman Tony Chua said the fact that they upheld Barrios’ decision on Yap’s case is enough proof that they have full confidence on the commissioner.
Purefoods governor Rene Pardo, meanwhile, said he was just questioning the circumstances surrounding the case but he’s not out to initiate move to oust the commissioner.
Ely Capacio and Robert Non, two other league governors from the SMC camp, expressed the same sentiment.
Pardo tackled the issue during the board meeting Wednesday although the board had decided on Purefoods’ appeal early on.
The outspoken Purefoods governor questioned in particular the propriety of Barrios’ meeting with the Sta. Lucia top officials hours before he handed down his decision on Yap’s case.
Barrios explained his side then expressed his willingness to step down if he’s no longer enjoying the trust and confidence of the governors.
“He said it in a very nice way, then I took the floor assuring him we believe in him,” said Chua.
“I was just questioning the circumstances but I was not after the head of the commissioner,” said Pardo.
The board later decided to task Barrios to draft formal guidelines on his authority on technical matters.
However, it remains unclear if everything is now well in the board.
“There are far bigger matters the commissioner should focus on,” said Capacio.
Purefoods protested the commissioner’s decision to upgrade Yap’s flagrant foul penalty 1 infraction to penalty 2 causing his suspension in Game Five.
Barrios, however, maintained he has the power to change or overrule a referee’s call, citing the same cases in the past.